Amichai, Seriously Injured On Oct. 7th, Asked To Meet R. Shaul Alter And For Rabbenu Tam Tefillin

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Amichai Shindler was seriously injured during the terrorist attack on Kerem Shalom on the Egyptian border on October 7th. Attempting to defend his family inside the safe room, Amichai stood near the door as a terrorist blew it open with an explosive device. As a result he lost one hand and some fingers from another hand. Despite this, he was able to save his family, and is now recovering in hospital from his injuries.

As he is now recovering, Amichai had two requests: To meet Rav Shaul Alter, the head of one of the Gur hassidic groups, and to place Tefillin of Rabbeinu Tam. Rav Shaul heard about Amichai’s requests and decided to fulfill both, bringing with him the Tefillin of Rabbeinu Tam belonging to his illustrious grandfather the Imrei Emes. Rav Shaul remarked humbly that he doesn’t dare to place these Tefillin himself but “You who have merited to sanctify G-d’s name can surely put them on.”

עמיחי שינדלר, גיבור כרם שלום שנאבק במשך שעות עם המחבלים שחדרו לביתו וידיו נקטעו, ביקש לפגוש את ראש הישיבה הרב שאול אלתר.
הרב אלתר הציע לו להניח תפילין נדירות שקיבל כירושה מסבו האמרי אמת והוא עצמו אינו מעז להניחן. “אבל אתה זכית לקדש שם שמים ואתה תוכל להניחן” אמר לו pic.twitter.com/uszVmiZ0ha

— ינון מגל (@YinonMagal) November 16, 2023

During the meeting Amichai told Rav Shaul that he is trying to train himself to use his left hand, the only one with some fingers left, and asked if he can light Chanukah candles with it, even though it isn’t the right hand. The rabbi replied that since this is now his main hand he can use it to light candles. Rav Shaul added that this story- of his requests and regarding lighting candles-  should be publicized as it strengthens people worldwide and “even made a storm in heaven.”

Rav Shaul also presented Amichai with a Tehillim with his personal autograph.